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The Cairo-born Toronto resident is one of seven Egyptian Coptic Christians sentenced to death in absentia Wednesday for their alleged part in making an anti-Islam film that sparked uproar across the Muslim world.

The Scarborough father of three first learned in September of the impending charges being drawn up by the Egyptian government. They held him partly responsible for the video lampooning the Prophet Mohammed.

A death sentence on Fawzy was confirmed this week meaning he joins his Egyptian fellow Christians and a controversial Florida-based pastor also sentenced to die.

Fawzy says his only crime is to be an outspoken critic of what he calls the “corrupt, lawless rulers of Egypt.”

“I left the land of my birth in 1986 in fear of my life,” Fawzy said, “and the Egyptian authorities have been pursuing me ever since because of my Christian faith. Now they have issued a fatwa against me.

“I lived in Sweden first. Then I left there to come to Canada in 2002 and took up Canadian citizenship because I think this is a safe and fair country.

“I had nothing to do with that film. I have published a book called ‘The Persecuted’ looking at the fate of Christians in the Middle East and this seems to have upset them.

“Anyone can see the breakdown of the rule of law in Egypt these days and how it threatens eight million Coptic Christians there. The country is corrupt and so are the rulers — now I have a death sentence on me and I would like to know I am safe here in Canada and so too my family and my three Canadian daughters.”

Trouble with the Egyptian government of whatever hue is nothing new to Fawzy.

He filed a lawsuit in 2007 against then-president Hosni Mubarak on behalf of the families of 22 Coptic Christian activists who died in police custody.

That action is proceeding through the judicial system in Egypt even though Mubarak was ousted during the 2011 Arab Spring uprising.

Fawzy claims his appeals for protection have been largely ignored in his new homeland.

He says nobody takes the fatwa and the death threats seriously. As recently as Sept. 22 Fawzy went to 42 Division in Scarborough asking for police protection but says he has heard little since.

Fawzy alleges he has simply been told to ‘shut his mouth’ by the government.

“I do not want to return to Egypt in a coffin,” Fawzy said. “I don’t want to be drugged in a back alley and whisked away. I only seek safe refuge here in Canada.

“Islam is violent and it threatens those who oppose it wherever they may live. I am the president of the Middle East Christian Association here in Canada, something that makes me a moving target for those haters who embrace Islam.

“I am dead man walking on the streets of Toronto.”

Toronto Police Const. Victor Kwong says 42 Division “have been in contact with Mr. Fawzy” since his first inquiry and police remain “acutely aware” of his situation and the threats made against him.

“He should be reassured that we take these matters seriously,” Kwong said.

For his part, Fawzy wants to remain living in Canada for his sake, his children’s sake and “the protections of Canadian freedom.”

“I am very lucky to be here in Canada where free speech is tolerated,” Fawzy said. “As a Christian my future would be very difficult back in the Middle East because of the imams and their intolerance of any criticism.

“Canada is different. This is a great country to have a future in.”

A final verdict on the fatwa is expected to be issued in Egypt on Jan. 29.

Egypt sentences Toronto man to death for alleged role in anti-Islam film

The Cairo-born Toronto resident is one of seven Egyptian Coptic Christians sentenced to death in absentia Wednesday for their alleged part in making an anti-Islam film that sparked uproar across the Muslim world.

The Scarborough father of three first learned in September of the impending charges being drawn up by the Egyptian government. They held him partly responsible for the video lampooning the Prophet Mohammed.